Prime Minister François Bayrou announced plans Tuesday to eliminate two of France’s 11 national public holidays in an effort to address the country’s mounting debt. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Bayrou suggested scrapping Easter Monday and May 8 — Victory in Europe Day — calling the current deficit “a curse with no way out.”
The move is aimed at bringing France more in line with countries like Germany, which observes nine national holidays, and to help close a growing budget gap exacerbated by increased military spending. Bayrou said losing the two holidays could generate “several billions of euros” in savings and help reduce the deficit from 5.4% to 4.6% of GDP next year.
The proposal drew swift backlash across the political spectrum. Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella condemned the plan as “a direct attack on our history,” while France Unbowed’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon demanded Bayrou’s resignation. Marine Le Pen warned of a no-confidence motion if the plan proceeds.
Bayrou defended the proposal as a necessary step to avoid the fate of debt-ridden nations like Greece. France’s debt currently stands at 114% of GDP — the highest in the EU after Greece and Italy. Alongside the holiday cuts, the government plans a spending freeze and a reduction of 3,000 civil service jobs to curb the deficit.
“We have become addicted to public spending,” Bayrou warned. “This is a critical juncture. Everyone must share in the effort — especially those who have more to give.”
